Psychoanalyzing intelligence : Béla Székely's Los Tests
Molinari, Victoria (Universidad de Buenos Aires)

Date:	2020
Abstract:	This paper aims to analyze the definition of intelligence that appeared in the book Los Tests (1946) written by BélaSzékely, a Hungarian psychologist who emigrated to Argentina in 1938. Although Székely's work was mainly related to psychoanalysis and child psychology, the publication of this compilation of psychometric tests became one of his most influential works, in which he based his observations on the ideas of Wilhelm Stern, Sigmund Freud, and Alfred Adler. The methodology used in this article is based on a qualitative and interpretative analysis of bibliographical sources from the perspectives of the critical history of psychology and intellectual history in Argentina in the 1930s and 1940s. In using this approach, I analyze what other specialists thought of intelligence, in contrast to the ideas presented by Székely. The article approaches the issue first by briefly presenting the author in question, and his position within Hungarian and Argentinian intellectual groups. Then, it studies general understandings of 'intelligence' and 'intellectual level' in Argentina around the time that Székely's book made its first appearance and, finally, it examines to what extent his viewpoint was different. The articulation between epistemological and historical discussions allows us to reflect not only on the transformations present in scientific constructs such as intelligence but also on the implications they had within the scientific community and on a wider social and political level. If intelligence was considered to be a neutral concept, then a mere compilation of tests would be enough for its dissemination. Székely's book made an impact because it contributed to the availability of testing technology, the popularization of said technology, and the intelligence concept.
Note:	This article is part of a four-year research project, UNLP S050, «Psychology and social order: theoretical and political controversies in psychological interventions in Argentina (1900-1990)», and three-year project «Centers and peripheries: circulation, reception and the transformation of psychology, psychiatry and psychoanalysis knowledge (1900-1990)», UBACyT 20020170100602BA. The research is funded by a postdoctoral scholarship from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET ). A previous version of this paper was discussed at the 38th ESHHS conference. Central European University, Budapest, Hungary.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Intelligence ; History of psychology ; Psychoanalysis ; Argentina
Published in:	Dynamis : Acta Hispanica ad Medicinae Scientiarumque. Historiam Illustrandam, Vol. 40 Núm. 2 (2020) , p. 375-398 (Dossier) , ISSN 2340-7948

Adreça original: https://raco.cat/index.php/Dynamis/article/view/393176
DOI: 10.30827/dynamis.v40i2.17971

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